Friday, June 20, 2008

I saw this ad today on the Fox News channel for "The O'Reilly Factor":

I was particularly struck by the caption "no party lines" image:

First, it caught my attention because he's always blasted by liberal bloggers asbeing a right-wing demagogue. O'Reilly and Fox News is so hated that theDemocrats wouldn't debate on the channel and it took years to get Hillary Clintonon The Factor (and that was only after it was evident that she had basicallylost the anti-war, ultra-liberal base). I know some will probably laugh at thethought of O'Reilly being an "independent." I've watched his show for years(not so much lately because it's become too tabloid-like) and he's always claimedto an independent.

If one actually takes the time to evaluate him on the issues, he is quite moderate.I've heard him on several occasions on his show say something to the effect if hehad to do it all of over again he would not support the war in Iraq but now that weare there we must be successful. That's certainly not a hawkish "neo-con." A fewweeks ago I listened to a portion of his radio show and he was steaming mad aboutgas prices and railing against oil companies. He sounded like a populist, sorta likeJohn Edwards. However, I don't recall him call supporting the wind-fall taxes onoil companies. He also believes global warming exists. Well, I guess one can arguethat's not really a partisan issue since everyone's buying into global warming these days.

Liberals can argue he's hyper-partisan because of whom he chooses to attack andthey would have a point. He saves his tirades for Daily Kos, MoveOn.org, Al Frankenand Code Pink types. But truthfully aren't those easy targets? I think it would beabsolutely foolish for conservatives to viciously go after a pundit for taking on AnnCoulter and Rush Limbaugh. I would say, "Have at it!"

The only area I can see him as a ideological hardliner is more on social issues.He's not for gay marriage. He was on the "War on Christmas" band wagon. Hetargeted a Kansas abortion clinic doing late term abortions.

However, his position is more nuanced on gay rights. He supports civil unions.In an interview with Mike Wallace he said he was for gun control and is alsoagainst the death penalty. Here's the video:

So that doesn't sound like a conservative talking head to me. Still he and FoxNews continue to have the reputation of being a Republican media tool. I actuallyappreciate his independent streak. What I don't like about O'Reilly is the way heinterviews. He interrupts guests, shouts, and has a huge temper. I'm sure that'sone of the reason he has become a such a punching bag for those who disagreewith him.

Let's compare O'Reilly's show with what's going on MSNBC. The person theyhave opposing O'Reilly in the same time slot is a hard liner, Keith Olbermann.His positions aren't nuanced, they come directly from the left blogosphere. Hehates President Bush and dreams of impeachment. He hardly has guests on hisshow that oppose his point of view. He turned against Hillary Clinton as soonas the left blogosphere did and compared her to a Republican.

I know some would say that Olbermann is MSNBC's answer to the successfulO'Reilly. In fact, "The O'Reilly Factor" continues to beat "Countdown" in ratings.I would argue there's a big difference between the two. Fox News didn't letO'Reilly anchor on election nights during this long Democratic primary. Theyknow the difference between political commentators and having neutral journalistscover election night results. Sadly, MSNBC didn't do the same this year.

Perhaps, if Keith Olberman wants to beat Bill O'Reilly in the ratings he shouldtake a few cues from him. He should be more interesting and have at least a littlediversity in his commentary. All one has to do is look at Daily Kos to know whatOlbermann will talk about. That's boring. He should invite more people who holdopposing views.

I've heard Bill O'Reilly and Fox News being called a lot of things. Liberals say thenews network is biased to the right. That's probably true. I can't imagine Brit Hume,the D.C. managing editor, voting for Sen. Barack Obama this fall. However, he doesn'tovertly cheer on a certain political party. I can stomach bias, what I can't stand isadvocacy. I've heard liberals call O'Reilly a loud mouth. That's true. However, he'snot designated to do news. He does political commentary and it's more nuancedanalysis than he's given credit for.

13
comments:

The proper classification for Bill O'Reilly would most probably be Christian Democrat, a political ideology common in Catholic countries in Europe and Latin America.

I foresee in the coming years a realignment in America that will recognize the sizable Christian Democrat electorate in America, which now have voices in men like O'Reilly and Lou Dobbs. In some ways, I guess the Constitution Party is already home to them, but a more mainstream future home could be the 'Modern Whig' party.

Anonymous
said...

I think Bill ORilly (fox news) and Lou Dobbs (cnn) are the 2 VERY BEST the tv has to offer, I never miss those two showes, I would love to see those 2 team up and run for president and vice president, and I LOVE there views,they both are TRUE AMERICANS.And some thing to think about,Illegal are Not IMMIGRANTS, they are CRIMINALS. and I dont care about there sad stories, just deport them.

jpcan
said...

I think Bill ORilly (fox news) and Lou Dobbs (cnn) are the 2 VERY BEST the tv has to offer, I never miss those two showes, I would love to see those 2 team up and run for president and vice president, and I LOVE there views,they both are TRUE AMERICANS.And some thing to think about,Illegal are Not IMMIGRANTS, they are CRIMINALS. and I dont care about there sad stories, just deport them.

Anonymous
said...

Oh, c'mon Fox is bought and sold by the GOP and they do nothing but lie for them Those who watch (dumb) FUX News do so to fuel their own hate and fear.

"O'Reilly and Fox News is so hated that the Democrats wouldn't debate on the channel and it took years to get Hillary Clinton on The Factor "

I find it quite amusing that the candidate who wants to talk with the genocidal leader of Iran was afraid to enter a debate moderated by Fox News. Is Brit Hume scarier than Mahmoud? Just more cheap political points with the leftist base that despises Fox News at the cost of the independents and conservatives who watch Fox News. But then again Obama is a pretty conventional liberal elitist, he probably can't even comprehend why people would watch Fox News- unless it has something to do with clinging to their guns, religion, etc. ;-)

Anonymous
said...

"In some ways, I guess the Constitution Party is already home to them, but a more mainstream future home could be the 'Modern Whig' party."

Because the Modern Whig Party is mainstream and non-fringe, I do not see how they would fall into the Constitution Party or Dobbs/O'Reilly. The Modern Whigs are smack in the middle of the Republicans and Dems and likely would avoid the irrational rants of what you suggest. I did read that the Modern Whig Party is becoming the party of the military though, which is interesting in its own right.

Anonymous
said...

The problem is that Oreilly lied. He is a registered Republican. He can't repeat that he is an independent four times an episode when he is a regitered Republican. He did not check the independent box on the ballot. He checked the Republican box. They are not next to each other. The ballot is obviously in his hand writing signed by him. I saw it. When he was asked why he didn't check the independent box he said that he made a mistake. That is a lie, we all know that he would have received numerous correspondence from the party of his choice(fundrasing and caucases). He has been a registered Republican for years. Both in Nassau and in New Jersey where he lived before. Whatever the analysis of his personality he registered and thus made a choice. You can't have your cake and eat it.

Anonymous
said...

I don't hate the guy or anything, but he has a very clear cut agenda. He is Republican. Plain and simple. Why is he ashamed of his party? He is against the death penalty? When did he say that? I don't believe it.

Anonymous
said...

Why is he ashamed of being a Republican? Is there something wrong with it? He sure seems to think so!!!!

Anonymous
said...

Bill O'rielly sounds like a liberal in comparison to Sean Hannity!

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